Method of preparing compounds using cavitation and compounds formed therefrom

Abstract

Nanostructured materials and processes for the preparation of these nanostructured materials in high phase purities using cavitation is disclosed. The method preferably comprises mixing a metal containing solution with a precipitating agent and passing the mixture into a cavitation chamber. The chamber consists of a first element to produce cavitation bubbles, and a second element that creates a pressure zone sufficient to collapse the bubbles. The process is useful for the preparation of catalysts and materials for piezoelectrics and superconductors.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A catalyst formed by cavitation wherein the cavitation comprises passing a metal containing solution at elevated pressure and at a velocity into a cavitation chamber, wherein said cavitation chamber creates a controllable cavitation zone to form a cavitated product.  
     
     
         2 . The catalyst of  claim 1  wherein both high shear and at least some in situ calcination of the metal containing solution occur in the cavitation chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The catalyst of  claim 1  wherein the cavitation chamber comprises a flow-through channel having a flow area, internally containing a first element that produces a local constriction of the flow area, and having an outlet downstream of the local constriction; and a second element that produces a second local constriction positioned at the outlet, wherein a cavitation zone is formed immediately after the first element, and an elevated pressure zone is created between the cavitation zone and the second local constriction.  
     
     
         4 . The catalyst of  claim 3  wherein the velocity of the metal containing solution passing into the cavitation chamber is at a velocity sufficient to create cavitation bubbles to form downstream of the first element.  
     
     
         5 . The catalyst of  claim 1  wherein the metal containing solution is a metal salt solution.  
     
     
         6 . The catalyst of  claim 5  wherein the metal salt is selected from the group consisting of nitrate, acetate, chloride, sulfate, bromide, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The catalyst of  claim 6  wherein the metal in the metal containing solution is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, molybdenum, bismuth, lanthanum, iron, strontium, titanium, silver, gold, lead, platinum, palladium, yttrium, zirconium, calcium, barium, potassium, chromium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A silver catalyst on alumina support having the charecteristics shown in FIG. 3 of the present invention.  
     
     
         9 . A CuO composition having the characteristics of shown in FIG. 4 of the present invention.  
     
     
         10 . A high temperature palladium catalyst comprised of a small grain material which is stable at temperatures of less than abot 1200 degrees Celsius.